Clinical Features, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency

🌞Vitamin D deficiency can cause hypocalcemia and lead to symptoms such as perioral tingling and muscle twitching.

🦴Bone resorption and decreased bone mineralization are common in vitamin D deficiency, leading to conditions like osteomalacia and osteoporosis.

🌡️Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of certain infections, including tuberculosis and influenza.

💡Research suggests a potential link between vitamin D deficiency and conditions like depression, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer.

🔬Diagnosis relies on measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, with cutoffs for mild, moderate, and severe deficiency.

What are the clinical features of vitamin D deficiency?

—Clinical features of vitamin D deficiency include hypocalcemia, bone pain, muscle twitching, and immune dysregulation.

How is vitamin D deficiency diagnosed?

—Vitamin D deficiency is diagnosed by measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Cutoffs for deficiency classification vary but generally include levels below 20-30 nanograms per milliliter.

What is the treatment for vitamin D deficiency?

—Treatment typically involves vitamin D supplementation. The dosage depends on the severity of deficiency and individual risk factors. Severe cases may require additional interventions such as IV calcium or calcitriol.

What are the long-term complications of vitamin D deficiency?

—Long-term complications of vitamin D deficiency can include osteomalacia, osteoporosis, increased risk of certain infections, and potential associations with conditions like depression, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Who is at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency?

—Individuals with darker skin, obesity, liver disease, or issues metabolizing fat may be at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency.

00:00This is part two in the series on vitamin D deficiency, focusing on clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment.

00:42Vitamin D deficiency can lead to hypocalcemia and symptoms like perioral tingling, muscle twitching, and carpal pedal spasm.

02:33Bone resorption and decreased bone mineralization are common in vitamin D deficiency, leading to conditions like osteomalacia and osteoporosis.

04:18Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of certain infections, such as tuberculosis and influenza.

05:50Research suggests a potential link between vitamin D deficiency and conditions like depression, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer.

06:52Vitamin D deficiency is diagnosed by measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, with mild deficiency typically considered levels below 20-30 nanograms per milliliter.